Family of five hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning

A Magnolia-area family of five was all hospitalized Wednesday morning with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning after using a charcoal grill to heat their home.

Three family members were taken to Conroe Regional Medical Center; two were taken to Tomball Hospital.

The family had been using a charcoal grill and wood coals to heat their home for several days. The family’s electricity had been shut off for more than a month. The adult family members woke up feeling ill and called 9-1-1 for an ambulance. The family told Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s investigators that they would burn oak logs in the yard; when the fire burned down to charcoal, they would load up the grill and bring the embers into the mobile home for heat.

Burning charcoal inside the home for heat is extremely dangerous; and in addition to being an extreme fire hazard, it can produce deadly amounts of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning material containing carbon. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage and death. You can’t see it, smell it or taste it; but carbon monoxide can kill.

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. This odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas is known as the “Silent Killer.” The Centers for Disease Control estimates that carbon monoxide poisoning claims nearly 500 lives and causes more than 15,000 visits to hospital emergency departments annually.

Carbon monoxide is also produced by common household appliances. When not properly ventilated, carbon monoxide emitted by these appliances can build up. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headaches, nausea and fatigue, are often mistaken for the flu because the deadly gas goes undetected in a home. Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage and even death.

Normal levels of carbon monoxide in a person are in the range of 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent. A person who smokes might normally have levels in the 2-3 percent range. The two most serious patients in Wednesday’s incident, two of the adults, had Carboxyhemoglobin levels in the 8.7 percent to 10.5 percent range. Although all five family members are expected to recover, at least two spent the night in the hospital for further testing and observations.

According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, “There have been many documented cases of CO poisoning that have killed people throughout the nation. This situation in Magnolia on Wednesday could have easily resulted in five family members dying of CO poisoning.”

The Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office strongly recommends the following: Have working smoke detectors in your home. Have carbon monoxide detectors as well in your home. Affordable combination smoke detector/carbon monoxide detectors are available at hardware store and home improvement stores. Never burn charcoal or an open flame inside a home for heat or cooking purposes. The gas heating furnace should be checked annually by a licensed HVAC serviceman to check for any leaks.” Keep all space heaters at least three feet away from combustible